Compounding-alternator.



no. 7|2,'737. Patel-md mw. 4, |902.

c. P. Summen.

CUIPUUNDINE ALTERNATOR.

(Appetia 11nd Aug. l0, 1897.)

(lo lodol.) 3 Shasta-Shen( I.

'Fai Z we ouml rerun nojmmoumo, wmlwou, D. c

I 5 flI l No. 7|2,737. Patented N0v.'4,` |902.

c. P. semnnz.

CUIPUUNDING A'LTERNATUR.

(Applition lod Aug. 20, 1897.) (lo Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

HEHE- MTNESQESF WM. YM.

' No. 7|2,737. Patented mw.l 4, |902.-

C. P. STEINMETZ.

COUPUUNDING ALTERNATOR; (Agpumion med Aug. so, 1397.)

(No Modal.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES I. STEINMETZ, OF SCHENECTADY, NEV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEIV YORK.

COMPOUNDING-ALTERNATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent No. 712,737, dated November 4, 1902.

Application filed August 20, 1897. Serial No. 648,874. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, t 77u03/ concern.:

Be it known that I, CHARLES P. STEIN-METZ, a citizen ot the United States, residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady,

State of New York, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in Compounding Alternators, (Case No. 592,) of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide an io efficientmeaus forregulatingalternating-current generators of one or more phases both for changes of load and changes of phase relation between current and electromotive force in the main circuit. The field excitation of the generator should increase With iucreased load and with la ging current and decrease with diminisned i ad and'with leading current.

I have designed the present invention to sezo cure satisfactory regulation of the character described.

Various embodiments of the invention will be hereinafter particularly described. The features of the invention, whethercarried out z5 in these ways or in other possible modified ways, are defined in the claims.

As a regulating means I have aimed to secure an eleetromotive force or electromotive forces which will rise and fall in value with 3o changes of load and which will also rise when the main current lags and fall if the main current leads in a ratio corresponding with the changes of load or phase displacement. Having secured such an electromotive force or electromotive forces, I am enabled to de rive therefrom a corresponding current of changing value with which to properly regulate or control the regulation ot the generator. As the load changes the current will 4o correspondingly change, and from the eu rrent I can in a variety of ways secure an electromotive force varying with the load, to this extent realizing the object ot the invention. Going a step farther, .it' an auxiliary electro- 4; motive force changing in value and phase with corresponding changes of current is combined with au electromolive force developed in a coil on the generator and it' the phase relation ot the electromotive forces so com- 5o bined is such that the auxiliary electromotive force leads the generator electromotive force by a proper angle, such that when the current lags the two electromotive forces shift more nearly in phase, and vice Versa When the current leads, then the resulta-nt electromotive force due to the combination will tend to increase in value with lagging currents and t-o decrease with leading currents, thereby securing an eleetromotive force changing both with the load and with the phase dis- 6o placement, which renders possible in practice the desired regulation. I have therefore provided means for deriving an auxiliary electromotive force ofthe character described, coupled with means for combining such an electromotive force with a generator electromotive force having the proper relative phase relation and means for regulating or controlling the regulation directly or indirectly of the generator by the resultant electromotive 7o force and current so obtained.

Describing now more specifically some of the Ways of practicingl the invention, one method is to provide transformer devices, either compensators or ordinary two coil transformers, in the circuit of the generatorcurrent. The current will induce in the transformer device a secondary transformed electromotive torce changing in vaille and phase4 With the cn rrent and practically in quadrature 8o with the main generator electromotive 'force at non-inductive load, though this value varies with lag and lead ot' the current. This supplies the auxiliary electromotive force, which, as already explained, is combined With a generator' electromotive force, thus furnishing res ultaut electromoti ve force and current having the desired characteristics. A second method is to employ reactive coils or other inductive impedances in place of the trans- 9o former devices. Electromotive forces will thereby be induced practically ninetydegrees behind the current, and in a three-phase machine these electromotive forces will consequently be thirty degrees ahead ofthe electromotive forces developed, respectively, in the generator-coils ofthe preceding phase. Then by combining the electromotive forces generated in the impedances with the generator elcctromotive 'forces of the preceding phase ice resultant electromotive forces and currents will also be secured, rising and fallingin value in the necessary and proper ratio.

The drawings annexed are diagrams showing different Ways of carrying out this invention.

Figure 1 shows a three-phase machine with compensators in the different branches of the machine. Fig. 2 shows a similar machine combined with inductive coils instead of compensators. Fig. showsamodification. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are diagrams introduced to help in explaining the working of my inventionA as now understood. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an additional feature of the invention. Figs. 8 and 9 show ways of applying the invention to single-phase machines, and Figs. 10 and 11 are further explanatory diagrams.

I will first explain how the invention is applied to a single-phase machine, since the connections are somewhat less intricate. For this purpose I refer to the figures on Sheet 3 of the drawings.

In Fig. 8, M is the armature or generator winding of a single-phase alternator. One terminal is connected to line through the collector-ring 1, and the second terminal leads, as shown, to an intermediate point in'the winding of a compensator or single-coil transformer N. One terminal of the compensator leads to the line-circuit through the second collector-ring 2, and the second terminal is brought back and tapped into the generator- Winding, as at 3. The primary 6 of a tWocoil transformer O is included in circuit hetween the compensator and point 3. The current developed in the secondary 7 of the transformer O may be used for regulating or controlling the regulation of the alternator in a variety of ways. For this purpose I have shown a rotary converter of a well-known type, having a closed circuit-winding connected at two diametrically opposite points with the secondary of the transformer O through collector-rings 4 and 5. The rectified current is taken from commutator 8 and passed through the exciting-winding P of the alternator. Such an arrangement will regulate in the manner described.

According to my present understanding of' the invention I will now explain the electrical actions taking place when tile described apparatus is in operation. For this purpose I refer to Figs. 10 and l1. Let oa represent the electromotive force developed in a selected portion of the generator-winding M, and 0c the generator-current, on the assumption that the current is in phase with the electromotive force. The primary elcctromotive force developed in the compensator will be practically in quadrature behind the current, as shown by dotted line oa'. The secondary transformed electromotive force developed in the compensator will be one hundred and eighty degrees from oa', and therefore practically ninety degrees ahead of the generator `electromotive force oa. With the apparatus connected as described the electromotive force in the primary circuit of the transformer O will therefore be the resultant oa3 of electromotive forces 0a. and cu2. If the load changes without change of phase, the component electromotive force oa2 will change in value correspondingly, and hence also the resultant electromotive force. If the load becomes inductive and the current lags, as ,at oc in Fig. 11, the auxiliary electromotive force 0Q2 will shift with the current, approaching more nearly the generator electromotive force oa. The line oa3, representing the resultant electromotive force, is longer than the corresponding line in Fig. 10, showing that under the new conditions the resultant electromotive force has an increased value; Byy constructing a similar diagram representing the main current leading it will be found that the line oa3 shortens and the resultant electromotive force is reduced.

Fig. 9 has been introduced to show that an ordinary two-coil transformer may be used instead of a compensator and that the generator electromo-t-ive force, with which the auxiliary electromotive force is combined, may be developedin aseparate winding. In this figure M represents, as before, the main generator-winding, connected to line through collector-ring 1 and at the other terminal through the'primary coil of a two-coil transformer O and thesecond collector-ring 2.

A separate generator-winding M' is provided, in which an electromotive force is developed preferably of the same phase as the electromotive force of the main winding. The secondary transformer O and the generatorwinding M' are connected in series and the current developed in this circuit is used for regulating the alternator. For so doingI have shown, as before, a rotary converter rectifying the alternating current and furnishing the exciting-current for the field-magnet winding P of the alternator.

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In Fig. 1 the invention is shown as applied to a three-phase machine. D is the field-magnet-exciting circuit wound in the ordinary way. The armature-coils A A2 A3 have, respectively, one terminal connected to the circuit-mains 1 2 3 through collector-rings C C2 O3.' The other terminals of the coils are connected to intermediate points in the windings of three corresponding compensators B B2 B3. One of the terminals of each of these compensators is connected to a common joint at y, so that in eect the armature-coils are Y- connected, but include portions of the compensator-windings between the coils and the common joint. The other terminal of compensator B' is connected to a point in the generator-windingA'. In this circuit is included the primary of au ordinary two-coil transformer T. Similarly compensator B2 has one terminal connected to armature coil A2 through the primary of transformer T2, and compensator B3 is connected to armature-coil A3 through the primary of transformer T3.

The secondaries of transformers T T2 T3 are interconnected (as shown in the drawings Y- connected at a common joint y) and the free terminals are connected by leads m np to a rectifying-commutator C, properly constructed to rectify the current in the secondary transformer-circuits and deliver the rectiiied current to the field-magnet winding of the machine.

The diagrams Figs. 4 and 5 are introduced to explain the actions taking place in the machine of Fig. l. These will be readily understood after the explanation already given cf the act-ions in a single-phase machine. It is sufficient to note that the main generator three-phase electromotive forces are represented by lines 0a 0a2 0Q2. In Fig. 4 the cur- -rents are assumed to be in phase, and are therefore represented by lines 00 002 002. The secondary electromotive forces developed in the compensators will be practically ninety degrees ahead of the main generator electromotive forces and currents and are represented by lines a b a2 b2 a2 b2. The dotted lines 0b' 052 052 therefore represent the resultant electromotive forces generated in the secondary circuits of transformers T T2 T2 and used for supplying the exciting-current.

In Fig. 5 the current is shown lagging a few degrees behind the generator electromotive force, 0a 0&2 0&2 representing the generator electromotive forces and 0o 002 0c3 the current-s, as before. The secondary electromotive forces in the compensators will shift with the current, thereby forming a more acute angle with the generator electromotive forces when the current lags. The resultant electromotive forces 0b 0b2 052 have an increased value as compared with the diagram Fig. 4, which of course means that the electromotive forces furnishing the exciting-current have risen in value, thereby also raising the potential of the machine and compounding for the lagging currents.

In Fig. 2 is shown a three-phase machine with inductive reactances for generating the auxiliary electromotive forces. D is the fieldmagnet winding and A A2 A2 the armaturecoils,connected to line through collector-rings C C2 C2, as before. The armature-coils have their other terminals connected at the common joint y through inductive coils I I2 I2. rihe transformers T T2 T3 have their primaries connected, respectively, across a portion of the winding of generator-coils A A2 A2. The secondary of transformer T is connected between the outer terminal ofreactive coil I2 and armature-coil A2. So, also, the secondary of transformer T2 is connected between reactive coil I2 and armature-coil A3. The secondary of transformer T2 is connected between reactive coil I' and armature A'. The free terminals of the transformer secondaries are connected through leads m 'a p, collector-rings, and brushes to the alternating side of a threephase rotary converter RC. Collector-rings i' 7" r2 are provided for the converter, of which t is the commutator from which the rectified current is fed to the field-magnet winding D. The rotary converter is shown excited by a shunt-winding t', taken from the direct-current side and including, if desired, the usual regulating-rheostat.

The construction described will work in accordance with my invention, though the actions are in certain respects different from those previously described. These differences I will try to make clear by referring to Fig. 6, in which oai/0Q2 0a3 represent the generator electromotive forces, as before. Assuming, first, that the currents are in phase with'their respective electromotive forces, 002 will represent one of the currents. The auxiliary electromotive forces developed in the reactive coils will theoretically be ninety degrees behind the corresponding currents, and therefore the auxiliary electromotive force corresponding to and generated by current 002 will be represented by 0612. 0cl2 is ninety degrees behind the generator electromotive force 0ct2, but (in the three-phase machine) thirty degrees ahead of the generator electromotive force of the preceding phase 0a. XVith the connections shown in Fig. 2 the reactive electromotive force 0(12 is combined with an electromotive force of the preceding phase 0a', giving the resultant 092. If now the currentlags through a certain phase-angle, (represented by 00%) the corresponding reactive electromotive force will shift backward through alike angle approaching more nearly the generator electromotive force 0a', andthe resultant of the combined electromotive forces 062 will have an increased value. There are illustrated in the diagram the actions taking place in a single phase only ofthe machine in order to render the diagramless complicated. Those skilled in the art, however, will from this explanation readily understand the operation of this modification as a whole.

In Fig. 3 is shown still another combination which may be employed in carrying out the invention. Like parts are represented by the same letters as in the other diagrams, and I will refer only to those points in which the construction is changed. The generatorcoils A A2 A3 are here connected to a common joint y through the primary coils of ordinary two-coil transformers. (Shown at T T2 T2.) The currents flowing in the generator-coils and the transformer primaries will induce the desired auxiliary electromotive forces in the transformer secondaries. These auxiliary electromotive forces are combined, as before, with generator electromotive forces; but the generator electromotive forces so combined are developed in separate windings Aa A?) A0 on the generator. An examination of the diagram will show clearly how the transformer secoudaries are interconnected at a commonjointjzj. The secondaryof transformer T/ is connected in series with the generator-coil Aa, standing in the same phase as the main coil A', and thence to the lead n.

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The secondary of transformer T2 is likewise connected through generator-coil Ab, standing in the same phase with coil A2 and to lead p. The secondary lof transformer T3 is connected to coil Ac of the same phase as coil A3 and to the lead m, so that the electromotive forces developed in the -secondaries of the transformers are combined with the generator electromotive forces developed in coils Aay Ab Ac, giving suitable resultant electromotive forces and currents for compounding the machine. In this modification the currents so developed are fed over the lines m up to the primary windings F F2 Fgof an alternating-current three-phase induction-motor IM. The secondary of the motor is of high resistance, and .its speed will vary within quite wide limits in proportion to the impressed voltage, rising with increased voltage, and Vice versa. The induction-motor is shown geared to a direct-current-exciter machine E. This machine feeds current 'to the exciterwinding D of the alternator, and the excitingcurrent varies in the proper ratio for regulating the alternator, increasing, of course, with an increased speed of the exciter, which results from an increased voltage in theprimary'circuit of the driving induction-motor. The held-circuit t' of the exciter-machine is shown coupled across the terminals of the machine. In other words, it is an ordinary shunt-wound exciter.

In Fig. 7 there are illustrated further features of the invention, showing how the compounding or regulating action may be varied in value and character. For the sake of clearuess there are illustrated simply these additional features applied to a single branch of a three-phase machine connected in other respects in the manner shown in Fig. l. A' is the alternator-Winding,whose terminals are connected to line through collector-ring C and. to the common joint y. The compensator B' is included in this circuit, and transformer T is in circuit, as before, between one terminal of the compensator and a point in the main `generator-winding. A switch S, connected to theinnerterminalofgenerator-coilA, may be adj usted so as to vary the length of that portion of the compensator-coil included between the generator-coil and joint y. This is done by leading out taps 9 from various points in the compensator-winding to contacts arranged in the pat-h of travel of switch S. This is a common expedient and will be well understood. By adjusting the length of this portion of the compensator-coils the value of the auxiliary electromotive forces for a given current can be changed, because the ratio of turns and of the transformation taking place between the two portions of the compeusator-winding is changed. In this way I resistance.

compounding as regards phase displacement can also'be adjusted.

What I claim asvnew, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. The combination in an alternating-current dynamo-electric machine, of means for developing in the machine an electromotive force whose phase relation is fixed, means for developing by the current of the machine a second electromotive force whose phase relation changes with the lag and lead of the current, but which is in advance of the electromotive force of the machine so that the angle between the two electromotive forces diminishes when the ,current lags, means for combining said electromotive forces, and means for regulating the machine by the direct or indirect action of a current'due tothe combined electromotive forces, as set forth.

2. The combination with an armature-coil of an alternatingcurrent dynamo electric machine, of a second coil in which an electromotive force is generated changing in' Value and phase relation with the main current, and in advance of the electromotive.

force of the first-named coil, means for combiriing the electromotive forces of the two coils to produce a resultant electromotive force and current, andmeans for regulating or controlling the regulation of the alternator by said last-named current.

3.' In combination, an alternating-current generator, an auxiliary coil through which the generator-current is passed, a circuit in which the electromotive force developed in such last-named coil is combined with an electromotive force derived from a coil of the generator and differing in phase from the electromotive force of the auxiliary coil by an angle which varies with the phase relation of the main current and diminishes when the current lags,'means for rectifying the current generated by the resultant of said combined electromotive forces, and means for regulating or controlling the regulation of the alternator with the rectified current, as set forth.

4. The combination of an alternating-current generator, with a compensator having its windings unidirectional, connections from the generator-Winding to an intermediate pointin the eompensatorwinding,and a regulating-circuit with one of its terminals connected to apoint in the generator-winding and the other terminal to the compensator.

5. In combination, an alternating-currentgenerator winding in which an electromotive force is developed, a compensator in which a second electromotive force is developed in approximately direct proportion to the main current of the machine, a circuit in which the generator and compensator electromotive forces are combined, a transformer having its primary in said circuit, and means for regulating the alternator by the current developed in the secondary of the transformer.

6. A polyphase generator having dierent branches of the generator-windin g connected IOO IIO

in series through the windings of acorresponding set of transformer devices acting to set up electromotive forces iu approximately direct proportion to the current delivered by the generator, means for combining the electromotiVe forces developed in the transformer devices with the generator electromotive forces, and means for regulating the generator by or under the control of currents developed by such resultant electromotive forces, as described.

7. In an alternator, main generating-coils, other coils generating an auxiliary electromotive force proportional to and having a phase relation fixed with reference to the main current, means for causing the auxiliary electromotive force to approach the main electromotive force in phase as the current lags, and to recede as the current leads, and means responsive to the resultant of said electromotive forces for regulating the excitation of the machine.

8. In an alternator, armaturecoils, compensators or autotransformers in series with such coils and generating electromotive forces in quadrature with and proportional to the main current, means for causing said electromotive forces to come into phase with the main electromotive forces as the current lags and recede therefrom as the current leads, and means for exciting the field-magnets of the alternator by the current due to the resultant electromotive forces.

9. The combination in an alternator of an armature coil or coils, a tranformer device generating an auxiliary/electromotive force proportional to and having a definite phase relation to the main current, means for causing the auxiliary electromotive force to approach the lnain electromotive force in phase as the current lags, and recede from it as the current leads, means for varying the effective turns of the transforming device and thereby the ratio of compounding, and means for regulating the dynamo by a current due to the resultant of the main and auxiliary electromotive forces.

l0. The combination in an alternator, of an armature coil or coils, a transformer device in electrical relation to the generator-winding generating an auxiliary electromotive force proportional to the main current, means for causing the auxiliary electromotive force to CHARLES P. STEINMETZ.

Vituesses:

B. B. HULL, A. H. ABELL. 

